‘Cocaine Cowboys’ era fugitive arrested in Miami after 4 years on the run

A man with ties to Miami’s “cocaine cowboys” drug-smuggling era was arrested by federal and local officers in South Florida on Jan. 12 after spending four years on the run as a “high-risk fugitive.”

The U.S. Marshall Service for the Southern District of Florida Special Operations Group and the Miami-Dade Police Department arrested the man with air support from CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Miami Air and Marine Branch (MAMB).

Authorities located the man in a private residence. He attempted to evade officers on an ATV and on foot before being located by AMO and ordered the ground. More than $36,000 in cash and a cache of weapons was recovered from the residence.

“Partnership efforts and community involvement are extremely important to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s mission,” MAMB Director Martin Wade said. “This coordinated enforcement effort is a shining example of our ability to support our partner law enforcement agencies in apprehending a very high profile and dangerous fugitive.”

A CBP release did not identify the suspect, or list the charges for which he was being sought.

AMO conducts daily air and maritime operations along the Florida coast. The operations focus on intercepting contraband, locating and arresting smugglers, and rescue and recovery.